SS Seminar 5: Dakota Crescent in architectural and historical perspectives
Singapura Stories is pleased to bring you Seminar Five on Dakota Crescent (originally planned for January 2015).
SINGAPURA STORIES SEMINAR FIVE
Understanding Dakota Crescent: Architectural and historical perspectives
by Jonathan Poh
Date: Tuesday 24 Nov, 2015
Time: 07:30 PM – 09:30 PM
Venue: Level 5 – Imagination Room (next to Possibility Room), National Library Building
Free event. Registration is required via GoLibrary.
About the talk:
Dakota Crescent to most lay passers-by is distinctive for its “curious old estate” along Old Airport Road near “that famous hawker centre”, overall evoking an atmosphere glossed as “retro”. Following the government’s announcement on plans for the redevelopment of the historical SIT estate and relocation of its residents, reaction from the public was mixed. Some residents were reportedly relieved as amenities were said to be in disrepair, while others (residents and non-residents alike) will grieve the loss of their memories and attachment to the place if the buildings were to be torn down. Such reactions merely scratch the surface of the significance of Dakota Crescent’s built heritage.
In this talk the speaker, who founded the “Save Dakota Crescent” Facebook page, will share his appreciation of the SIT flats’ built form from an architectural perspective and identify critical historic milestones in the history of Dakota Crescent SIT estate. The discussion hopes to shed light on Dakota Crescent’s importance as a heritage estate beyond nostalgia.
About the speaker
Jonathan Poh is an architect and the founder of the “Save Dakota Crescent” Facebook page, through which he has worked to raise awareness about Dakota Crescent’s historical significance through highlighting events or interesting anecdotes that happened within the area. He is a Masters graduate of the Department of Architecture, NUS and worked in local firms such as Teh Joo Heng Architects and Chan Sau Yan Associates before starting his own architectural practice. His interior works have been featured in regional design periodicals such as Habitus Magazine and Dwell Asia. As a resident from the neighbourhood, he sees a huge opportunity cost in the potential demise of the estate and hopes to connect with past residents and interested individuals to document memories and recollections of this singularly unique SIT estate.
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